Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum: Memorable Day Visiting with the Lincolns.
One summer, our family met with the Lincolns at their place in Springfield, Illinois. What? You wonder. Yes, we visited the Lincolns at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, the one place you shouldn’t miss when you are in town.
Our son had been learning and reading several books about President Lincoln before we visited the museum. Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Tree House Series and Who Was Abraham Lincoln? were a couple of them.
The visit to the museum brought back all the information he got from the books. Everything was like becoming alive. Let me explain why.
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Visiting the Lincolns at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum implemented modern technology to bring 19th-century history to life. We engaged with the exhibits as if we were part of the 19th-century history.
There are two parts of the exhibits in the museum:
- The Journey, Part I – The Pre-Presidential Years, and
- The Journey, Part II – The White House Years.
As we walked to the Plaza, the center of the museum, we saw the Lincolns standing as they would have appeared shortly after they arrived in the White House. It looks like they are welcoming us to their house.
Our son recognized Willie and Tad immediately, the two younger sons of the Lincolns. And, of course, he stood next to Willie when we took his picture with the Lincolns.
The Journey, Part I – The Pre-Presidential Years
We started our journey at Lincoln’s one-room boyhood log cabin home. It is based on his log cabin home in Indiana after young Lincoln and his family moved from Kentucky, where he was born.
Reproduction trees that were growing around Indiana at that time surrounded the log cabin.
Here, we saw Lincoln reading a book by the fireplace when the rest of the family was sleeping.
“Do you know that Abraham Lincoln liked to read?” My son’s and his friend’s conversation when they were in 2nd grade came back to me when we were inside the log cabin.
Then, we walked through the exhibition of the Slave Auction. It was a common tragedy that happened at that time.
The historian wonders whether Abraham Lincoln came across such a scene during his trip down the Mississippi when he worked as a ferryman.
Next is the Lincoln in New Salem exhibition, his first business venture. It is where he met and fell in love with Ann Rutledge.
Then, we entered the Life in Springfield exhibition. The gallery presents Lincoln’s courtship with Mary, his home life, his legal and political careers, his law practice, and the Lincoln-Douglas debates.
From here, we moved to Campaign 1860. It was the year of Lincoln’s Presidential Campaign. The museum displayed it using a 21st-century-style news broadcast. The late NBC news legend Tim Russert hosted it. We’re like entering the news control room to watch the campaign.
In the last part, we watched Lincoln deliver his emotional farewell speech from the back of his train before leaving Springfield, Illinois, for Washington, D.C.
The Journey, Part II – The White House Years
The beginning of part II is the Lincoln family posed in the Plaza.
Then we moved to another exhibit, “What Are They Wearing in Washington?”.
Here, we see Mary fitted for a gown for the White House Ball. She was surrounded by her social rivals. Each piece of clothing in this exhibit was carefully researched, right down to the buttons, belts, and undergarments.
Whispering Gallery is the next exhibit we entered. The wall was full of negative illustrations of the Lincolns. It is set in a dark, crooked, disturbing hallway where you can also hear voices whispering mean things about the Lincolns as you pass by. Very depressing.
The next stop was even depressing, The Death of Willie. I had to wipe my eyes here. Just imagine parents losing their beloved child.
After that, we walked to the Emancipation Proclamation – Illustration Corridor exhibit. Faces appear ghosted between columns, shouting advice to President Lincoln. At the end of the hallway, Lincoln is standing over a table with a pen in hand, weighing his options in releasing the Emancipation Proclamation.
Then we walked to Ford’s Theater, the recreation of the presidential box where John Wilkes Booth shot him at point-blank range at approximately 10:15 p.m. (Our family has been to the one in Washington, D.C. When you have a chance, you must go there).
We ended the journey at the Lying in State exhibit. When we walked here, we felt like we were paying our last respects to him. Everyone was quiet.
2 other things you shouldn’t miss when visiting the Lincolns at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum:
1. Ghosts of the Library
It is one of the best theaters in the museum that we have ever been to. A live host went on an exciting journey as he approached a great research collection. Full of surprises from the beginning to the end. The library combined his journey with a dramatic and magical special effects presentation that uses Holovision technology. It is a must-see.
2. The Union Theater
This is a fully automated theatrical special effect in which personal and political dramas and key issues during Lincoln’s presidency are presented in a spectacular way. Another must-see when you are in the museum.
Another gallery that our family found interesting is Ask Mr. Lincoln. It is a small nook of Q&A between President Lincoln and others.
Then, you will walk through the Gift Shop on the way out. The Gift Shop carries everything Lincoln’s that you can imagine, as well as other stuff that will make you want to buy something before you leave.
We were very pleased with our visit here. Our son said, “It’s a pretty good museum.” We recommend that you and your family visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. You will not be disappointed at all.
How to visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum
A visit to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield is also a good day trip from Chicago. You will also see Abraham Lincoln’s Tomb, Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Lincoln Depot, Lincoln Memorial Gardens, and many more. After all, Springfield is the capital of the state of Illinois.
So, next time you go exploring Chicago, don’t forget a day trip to Springfield. It’s about a 3.5-hour drive to the southwest.
Location: 212 N. Sixth St., Springfield, IL 62701
Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily (last ticket sold at 4 pm). Closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Museum Store: 9.30 am – 5 pm. Lincoln Cafe: 9 am – 3 pm.
Admission:
- Adults (16-61): $15
- Seniors (62+): $12
- Military (ID required): $10
- Children (5-15): $6
- 4 and under no charge
- Student (ID required): $12
Admission is good all day. You can leave the museum for lunch and return to finish the journey, for example.
It is a self-guided experience. Most guests spent 2.5 hours.
You took me to a virtual tour of Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum through your words and pictures. This is an interesting place for people who are keen about history and Abraham Lincoln. A lot of information and educative post. Thanks for sharing your experience.
You are welcome!
Isn’t it? I wonder the same and still learning about it.
Wow! What a great trip. I would love to visit this museum dedicated to the life story of such a great man. It would be more interesting visiting the museum with my daughter.
For sure, especially if she learns about Lincoln.
Sounds like a great museum. It’s brilliant that they’ve almost brought the Lincolns to life and what a great way to learn about them and get a history lesson at the same time.
I know, right? I always suggested this museum to people who have interests in American Presidents, especially Lincoln. It’s one of the best Presidential museums.
The museum looks really well done, and for people who want to learn more about US history it would make a great visit. Not to mention how cool it mush be for kids!
It sure is.
Wow, Umiko, you really have posh friends 😉
This museum looks great: You have fun and you learn a lot at the same time – just perfect. It’s nice that in the US museums are often so hands-on and not so ‘stiff’.
One in a million. 😉 I don’t mind to go back to this museum if I’m in the area. But you’re right. A lot of museums in the US are hands-on. Best way to learn.
I am a huge history buff and would love to visit the Lincoln Presidential Museum. The pictures inspire me to add this place into my list. Thanks!
You will enjoy your visit here.
The Whispering Gallery sounds a really intense experience. It brought to mind immediately our visit to the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, where the first gallery is a journey by water in a slave ship, complete with song, murmurings and a sense of menace and fear. And I am glad to see your family so fully engaged with history. I never knew Lincoln was a Mississippi ferryman.
We have learned a lot about small things surrounding Lincoln in this museum. And thank you for the information about Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. Now I have reason to stop there on our next trip to the Northeast.
A visit to Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum is I guess everyone’s dream, especially for those that have been reading its book. I love that you were able to elucidate a few of great things about the Museum, and your photos are amazing. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I couldn’t wait to traipse my feet here as well, hopefully soon If I get the chance.
I agree, it’s a dream for everyone whose learned about Lincoln to visit here. I’m glad we made the trip here. I hope you, too, will make it here soon.
This is such a good day trip! I know little about American history so would like to visit here myself. The women’s clothes were so more interesting in those times too, though probably not so comfortable! Will bookmark this.
Yes, Lisa. Make a trip here since you like to visit Chicago.
Our boys had an obsession with the presidents when they were about 3 years old- they would love this! We took them to Disney Land and the animatronic Abe Lincoln was their favorite thing in the whole park!!!
You must take them here. They will like it like our son did!
The museum looks really fun and interactive. I also love history, so this is a great idea. Thanks for sharing.
Wow what a educational and entertaining tour of the museum. I loved taking this virtual trip with you.
Thank you!
What a great post! I didn’t know about any of this. I’ll be saving it for the future!
This museum looks so interesting! Lovely pictures you have got! Thanks for sharing 🙂
How interesting! I didn’t know this place existed until reading your blog and it was nice to read. I think my partner would love it too!
If you like history, then you will like it even more.
Looks very interesting, I had no idea about it! We drive pretty often to Chicago, one day we just have to make a detour and visit Lincoln Museum!
You should! Lincoln’s graveyard is also there.
What an educational day out! I have never heard of this place but will have to keep it in mind if I ever find myself in Illinois 🙂
Hopefully one day you will go to Illinois. 🙂
It looks like a great place to go with kids. Lots of culture and history to inspire them!
You are right! It’s the city with history.
The museum looks so neatly done! I am sure your son had a good history lesson just by visiting this place.
One of the best presidential library. My son did have a good history lesson there. What he read were on display there.
Great post – This looks like a really interesting and informative museum. Although I’m going to be honest, the mannequins frightened me a bit 😉
One of the best! If you see the mannequins in person, it feels like they are welcoming you to their place. 😉
Never heard about it before.Looks great place for learning history with visual statues.Would love to visit it
I would have never known about this museum, too if I didn’t search around for things to do near a city we visited every year.
That’s so interesting, I really like historical tours where I can learn something!
Then you should come here. 🙂
This is fascinating – I can’t believe I’ve never been! thanks for the recap <3
Another one for the bucket list!